Adapter for windshield wiper motors



May 18, 1954A J. R. msm-:l 2,678,460

ADAPTER FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTORS Fild Aug. so, 1949 ATTORNEYS Patentec May 18, 1954 :UNITED STAT-Es PATENT fors-ice 2,678,460

ADAPTER FR WIN'DSHIELD `WIPER i MOTORS John RnOishei, Buffalo, N.. .Yl'assignor to Trice .Productsorporatiom Buffalo, N. Y.

`Application August `30, 1949, Serial No. 113,207

uthenwindshielcl by having` only. a single hole drilled l therethrough. Due to the fact that thespecica- -tions of ldifferent automobiles vary and differ wone-.frorn-another, the windshield cleaners `like- `iivisezvary in dimensional details, with theresult .'fthatteach makeand model of carfrequently regquire an individual fcleaner specifically suited therefor, exclusive of other makes of automobiles. jitfis therefore, quite apparent that overa period cof Vyear-s'the changing specifications of `the car f-builders reectin an increased number of differ- :ent models. of Windshield cleaners which have to tbe; kept` in stock,.all being primarily `the vsame but differing generally in characterizing features, such as the lengths of the shafts `and their mounting sleeves, `and sometimes in: the lengths ofthe handles for the control valves.

zAngobject vof thepresentinvention is to pro- A:Mide Ya .windshield cleaner which .Will serve lto y-.reducethe` over-all number `of different models of Windshield cleaner motors required `to supply .thefdemands of ,the car manufacturers `as well ;as to` minimize vthe number of `motor unitsnecessa'rygtofkeep in stock for replacement, all tend- 4.ing toward aneoonomyin the maufacture of the cleanerand greater easelof effecting replacement when occasion demands.

ffurtherobjectof `the invention is to provide a .windshieldcleaner which ismore universal in :its yadaptation to the several `models of vehicles landftherefore one `which has a greater degree of `filexibility .in its `mounting to facilitate and expedite the installationof the individualcleaner in v.its particular setting.

The invention further hasfor its objectto profvideyawindshield cleaner which, whilebeing more universal in character, maintains its simple and :practical construction without impairment of its encient performance.

`Thefforegoingand other objects will manifest themselves as the following description pro- -gresses, reference being made thereingto the ac- :fcompanying drawing, wherein:

l'is a side elevation of the improved windshield cleanermotorwith portions broken laway;

Fig 2 is .an exploded view, :in perspective, -def picting the invention more clearly and illustrating another extension unit;

Fig. Bis across-sectional View about on line 13-3 of Fig. 2; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are detailed fragmentary vviews of -modications of the shaft extension unit coupling `Referring ,more particularly to the drawing, the numeral I designates the windshield cleaner Vmotor casing or `housing having a removable covert? and provided with a chamber to receive they piston or vane 3 which is fixed to the shaft 4 that is journaled in bearings at opposite sides `of the chamber. The shaft at one end projects `beyond. its bearing into the automatic valve chamber E in a Well known manner, while `at the opposite end the shaft protrudes through its bearing 'i into a counterbore 8 where it preferably terminates in a position slightly inset with respect to the outer Wall of thecasing. This in- `set end of the shaft is formed with a `coupling ,enlarged head on each end, one head `i2 being housed Within the mounting sleeve and formed with a coupling part I3 for coacting with Athe coupling part S in uniting the two shafts in axial alignment while the opposite head Iii is arranged exteriorly of the mounting sleeve and adapted for operative connection to a wiper arm indicated at l5. The internal head I2 and the external head I4 in practice are formed separately from the shaft section il and are driven thereonto `and secured `with a pressed fit byfreason of the knurling i6 on each end of the shaft section. The mounting sleeve it is ccunterbored atits opposite ends, the outer counterbore re- -ceiving a suitablebronze bushing l1 to afford a journal support for the` outer end of the extension shaft adjacent the wiper arm, and the inner counterbore receiving the head i2 and providing an internal shoulder i8 which restricts endwise movement of the shaft part.

The extension unit is readily mounted onthe motor by telescoping the counterbored inner-end of the mounting sleeve overthe motor shaft4 fand-into the -counterbore `.Where itis firmly anchored in place by one or more anchor pins I9 which are inserted through the openings of the motor casing and engaged in the peripheral chordal slots 2l on the inner end of the mounting sleeve. The anchoring pins I9 are preferably located inwardly from, but in proximity to, the engaged coupled parts so as to give rigidity and firm support to the joint. The formation of the coupling parts 9 and I3 is such that by and upon axial placement of the mounting sleeve within its counterbore, such coupling parts will be brought into a cooperative relationship for establishing a driving connection between the motor shaft and the extension shaft II, I2, I4.

The outer end of the mounting sleeve is shown threaded to receive a clamping fastener 22 by which the motor may be secured to the framing structure 23 of the vehicle. The am'al pull or thrust upon the mounting sleeve will bind upon the anchor pins I9 and secure them in position. The factory prescribed extension unit will convert the motor to the required model and adapt it for its particular location on the Vehicle.

The external head will be shaped according to the type of wiper arm prescribed for the particular model of car. In Fig. 2, the head Ill is provided with a transverse opening 2li to receive a pin 25 by which a knurled head 25 is attached thereto. This head will fit the knurled socket of a well known Wiper arm, but a nut 2l will secure the wiper arm I5 to the head le. These heads are interchangeable at the factory. Otherwise, the

. internal and external heads are identical for the diiferent extension units, the varying factor being in the length of the shaft section il which may be economically severed from wire stock and knurled for a drive nt with the heads. Or the internal head lia may be formed in one piece with the shaft section lia where a heavier construction is required.

The inner end of the extension shaft may have suflicient clearance to enable the internal head centering itself with respect to the motor shaft, which affords support therefor. This afforded support may be positively assured by having a supporting stub da formed axially on the driving or motor shaft 13b and engaging in a socket i212 in the internal head I2a, Fig. 5. In this modified showing, suitable clearance between the motor shaft and the extension shaft may be provided to secure free rotation of the shaft coupling between the spaced bearings l and ila. The cornp-osition bronze bearing I'Ia may be elongated for this purpose and secured in place by a friction nt within the sleeve lea.

If desired, the internal head l2 may be provided with a peripheral groove Sli, Fig. 4, into which lugs 3l .may be struck from the sleeve I0 in a manner to secure the extension shaft against axial movement within the sleeve, while permitting relative rotation. Y

In order to augment or further the universality of the motor mounting, or its flexibility of adaptation to the several designated makes or models of cars, and for accommodating the various prescriptions called for, the control of the motor is also readily fitted for the individual mount. Referring to Fig. l, the control valve indicated generally at 32 and employed for operating the windshield cleaner as well as parking the same, has its slide member 33 provided with a downturned end 34 to which a handle is fastened. In the improved construction a manually shapeable shank 35 is engaged, as by threading it into an opening in the downturned end 34. A knob or handle 36' 4 is threaded on the outer end of the shapeable shank. Limited adjustment of the shank at either end may therefore be effected. Preferably, however, the shank is in the form of a coiled body, wound from Wire stock, and encloses a pliable core 3l secured therein against axial displacement therefrom. The coiled body is readily flexible, as is also the core, but the latter is made from a suitable wire stock pliable in character but capable of holding its manually imparted shape when pushed or pulled. The core gives to the coiled body sustaining support Ythroughout its length as well as where the opposite ends of the body are threaded into the valve slide and the knob or handle. Therefore, a push or pull upon the knob will shift the control valve in the de- Ysired direction for closing or opening the motor communication with the source of pneumatic pressure, such as the intake manifold of the vehicle engine.

The windshield cleaner of the present invention is exceedingly practical in construction and has limited universal application while still maintaining the utmost simplicity of the system. A

" motor of this character is exceedingly economical since it is only necessary to manufacture the motor per se of a single design and then to associate it selectively with the interchangeable extension units of a kit or set which, when applied tothe motor, will adapt it for installation on a predetermined vehicle.

The windshield cleaner of the present invention is admirably adapted for garages and service stations in that it is only necessary for the mechanic to carry in stock a very few motors as compared to a more numerous supply of extension units and handle Shanks.

While the foregoing description has been given in detail, it is without thought ofrlimitation since the inventive principles involved are capable of assuming other physical embodiments without departing from the spirit of the'invention an the scope of the appended claims.

What, is claimed is:

l. A windshield cleaner comprising a motorV casing having a shaft bearing with a counterbore, a motor-driven shaft journaled in the bearing of the casing, one end of the shaft extending into the counterbore and terminating in an extension unit in the form of a mounting sleeve and a shaft journaled therein and permanently united therewith against axial displacement therefrom, one end of the mounting sleeve overhanging the adjacent end of the extension shaft and being axially placeable in the counterbore to enclose said one end of said motor shaft, the adjacent ends of the two shafts having parts interlockable by and upon such placement of the mounting sleeve, and anchor means engagea-ble with the mounting sleeve after such placement for locking the latter in position and for indirectly securing the two shafts interlocked for movement in unison.

2. A windshield cleaner comprising a motor casing having a shaft bearing with a counterbore, a motor shaft journaled in the bearing of the casing, one end of the shaft terminating within the counterbore, an extension unit in the form of a mounting sleeve and a shaft journaled therein and permanently united therewith against axial displacement, one end of the mounting sleeve overhanging the adjacent end of its shaft and axially placeable in the counterbore to enclose said one end of said motor shaft, the'adjacent ends of the two shafts having partsv interlockable by an upon suchplacement of the mounting sleeve, and casing carried anchor means comprising anchor pins engageable with the mounting sleeve and with the counterbore wall on opposite sides of the motor shaft after such placement for locking the mounting sleeve in position and for indirectly securing the two shafts interlocked for movement in unison.

3. A windshield cleaner motor comprising a casing, a shaft journaled in the casing, a removable shaft extension unit in the form of a mounting sleeve and a shaft journaled therein and secured against axial displacement therefrom, said casing having a wall part adjacent its shaft for receiving said mounting sleeve, the adjacent ends of the two shafts having mating coupling parts operatively engageable one with another upon such placement of the unit on the casing, and anchor pin means on the Acasing movable through said wall part; into interlocking engagement with the mounting sleeve for anchoring the extension unit to the casing in coupled position and through the sleeve acting to secure the coupled parts together.

4. A windshield cleaner comprising a motor casing having a removable cover and complemental shaft bearings in both parts with an external counterbore, a motor shaft journaled in the bearings of the casing with one end of the motor shaft extending into the counterbore, a shaft extension unit in the form of a mounting sleeve and a shaft journaled therein and permanently united therewith against axial displacement for mounting and demounting as a unit on `the casing, the adjacent ends of the two shafts having parts interlockable by and upon placement of the mounting sleeve on the casing, the sleeve being axially placeable in the counterbore to engage said shaft parts, and anchor means holding the mounting sleeve in position and securing the two shafts interlocked for movement in unison.

5. A windshield cleaner motor comprising a casing having an external counterbore, a shaft journaled in the casing and extending into the counterbore, a removable shaft extension unit in the form of a mounting sleeve and a shaft journaled therein and secured against axial displacement therefrom, the adjacent end of the two shafts having mating coupling parts operatively engageable one with another upon placement of the unit in the counterbore, and anchor pin means on the casing movable through a wall of the counterbore into interlocking engagement with the mounting sleeve for anchoring the extension unit to the casing in coupled position and through the sleeve acting to secure the coupled parts together.

y6. A windshield cleaner comprising a wiper, a motor therefor having a casing, a shaft journaled in a bearing in the casing with one end of the shaft extending into an external counterbore about the shaft bearing, a shaft extension unit in the form of a mounting sleeve and a shaft journaled therein and permanently united therewith against axial displacement, one end of the mounting sleeve being axially placeable in the counterbore, the adjacent ends of the two shafts having parts interlockable within the counterbore by and upon placement of the mounting sleeve therein, and anchor means on the casing engageable with the mounting sleeve in proximity toi the coupled parts for locking the sleeve in position and securing the two shafts interlocked for movement in unison.

7. A windshield cleaner motor comprising a casing having a shaft bearing and an external counterbore aboutI the bearing, a motor shaft journaled in the bearing of the casing and terminating at one end within the counterbore, a shaft extension unit in the form of a mounting sleeve and a shaft, said unit shaft having terminal heads joined by a reduced portion which latter is journaled in the sleeve, the two shafts having parts interlockable by and upon placement of the mounting sleeve in the counterbore, one part being on the motor shaft and the other part on one of the heads, the companion head having a part connectible to a wiper, and anchor means engageable with the mounting sleeve after placement for locking the latter in position and thereby securing the two shafts interlocked for movement in unison.

8. In a windshield wiper motor comprising a casing having a removable cover and complemental shaft bearings in both parts, a motor shaft journaled in the bearings, one end of the shaft being terminable within a shaft extension unit in the form of a mounting sleeve having an extension shaft journaled therein and permanently united therewith against axial displacement for mounting and demounting as a unit on the casing, said casing having a mounting part for receiving said sleeve with said shafts in axial alinement, said mounting sleeve serving thereby jointly as a journal support for the extension shaft and as a means for interlocking the extension shaft to the motor shaft, whereby the extension shaft will be supported for rotation by the motor shaft, the adjacent ends of the two shafts having parts interlockable by and upon placement of the mounting sleeve on the casing, and anchor means interconnecting the casing mounting part and the mounting sleeve for holding the mounting sleeve in position on the casing and the two shafts interlocked for movement in unison without displacing the removable cover .from the chambered casing.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 531,882 Stewart Jan. 1, 1895 1,097,423 Givens May 19, 1914 1,537,273 Tulley May` 12, 1925 1,564,514 Blackmore Dec. 8, 1925 1,860,281 Gentil May 24, 1932 l 1,964,400 Horton June 26, 1934 2,016,142 Hansen et al Oct. l, 1935 2,059,354 Hueber Nov. 3, 1936 2,372,930 Bovee Apr. 3, 1945 2,538,750 Lappin et al. Jan. 23, 1951 

